Residents of Trigg County and Cadiz mourned the passing of City Councilman and former Mayor Jim Ricks on March 27, 2008, after a long bout with cancer.

The city remembered Ricks for his long service in city administration, beginning with his election to the Cadiz City Council in 1992. He won the mayoral election in 1994, and served in that capacity until 1999. After a two-year hiatus, Ricks returned to the Council in 2002, winning re-election in 2004 and 2006, serving until his death.

Ricks’ nephew, Stacy Futrell said that his uncle worked for over 20 years in the service of the Federal Government as an electrician and supervisor at Fort Campbell. After leaving government service, Ricks returned to his native Cadiz to operate Quality Security.

Ricks was perhaps best known for operating Jim’s Music Shop for 21 years. Portia Ezell, owner of Eldora’s Books, etc. next to the former site of the shop, said, “Jim gave so much to people. If a child wanted a guitar, but could not afford one, Jim would see that the kid got one and lessons to play it. He probably gave away more than he sold.”

Because of his declining health, Ricks closed the shop for the final time in August 2007.

With his work in city government, civil service and his business, Ricks served as a deacon at Cadiz Baptist Church, taught Sunday school at Shady Lawn Nursing Home, and held a membership at the Cadiz Masonic Lodge.

Ricks served with Juanita Oates on the council for several terms, as well as during his tenure as mayor. The former councilwoman said, “I had nothing but a very pleasant experience working with him on the council and in other business. The thing I really remember about him was that he gave so much of himself to others who could not help themselves. He had his alarm business and went to the homes of older people who did not have adequate security measures. He would show up and do the work. People would offer to pay what they could, but he knew their circumstances. He would only say, ‘See you later.’”

The community mourns the loss of Jim Ricks. Read reactions in The Cadiz Record.